Refrigerator car construction



Dec. 15, 1942. v. E. wl-:s'r

REFRIGERATOR CAR.Y CONSTRUCTION Filed July 2s, 1941'A Patented Dec. 15, 1942 REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Victor E. West, Chicago, lll., assigner to Standard Railway Devices Company, Chicago, Ill., a ,corporation of Delaware Applicatin `l'uly 28, 1941, Serial No. 404,323

(Cl. (i2-17) 15 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars used .to transport perishable commodities at a predel which the cooling means, preferably containers for water ice, eutectic ice, brine or dry ice,` are disposed immediately below the roof of the car. The lading is supported in spaced relation to the licor by a forarninous rack. Flues, preferably associated withthe sidewalls of the car, communicate between' the cooling means and the space under the oor rack to. providev a path for the circulation of air. The basic air circulation in a car of this type, when the lading is of a nature to'permit air permeation'therethrough, is from the cooling means. downwardly'through the aforementioned flues, through the space under the floor rack, upwardly through the lading compartment thereby cooling the lading/and finally to the cooling means from where the cycle is'repeated.

The commodities usually carried in refrigerator cars are packed invarious ways, such as in boxes or crates; in bags; in bulk without any packaging; and even by bunches or stems, as bananas. When the commodity is loaded in boxes or crates it may be loaded into the car either solidly` from side wall to side wall and substantiallyffrom floor to ceiling, or it may be provided with spacing r strips or other means between the boxes or crates to allow for the circulation of cold air. In the type of refrigerator car herein disclosed and with a loosely loaded lading, the cold air circulates from the space Aunder the floor rack upwardly through the lading compartment toward the' roof of the car, thereby coolingkthe lading, but if such lading is tightly packed `within the car, the cold air may be prevented from reaching certain parts thereof with a consequent increase in the temperature of those parts.

Furthermore, in certain types of lading, such as fresh fruits and Vegetables, the ripening thereof in transit releases heat which is known as the heat of respiration, the amount of which heat varies greatly from one product to another, as Well as for different temperature ranges. This heat has a tendency to collect in the upper part of the car and thereby prevent the lading in such upper part from reaching the low temperature required for preservation of the commodity.

An object of the invention is to supply cold air preferably substantially uniformly between the top and the bottom of the lading compartment, which air is injected into the compartment preferably from one or both side walls of the car so as to overcome the harmful effects caused by the restriction of air flow from the space under the floor rack upwardly through the lading compartment.

A further object is to inject such distributed supply of cold air into the lading compartment Without in any way interfering with the basic circulatory system for the overhead bunker type of car as hereinabove described.

A further object of the invention iste provide means for injecting a supply of cold air over the top of the lading to counteract the harmful effects of the heat of respiration, which heat has a tendency to maintain the upper part of the car at a high temperature; The cold air distributed over the top of the lading also overcomes the deficiency of cold air in the upper part of the car caused by the lading being so tightly loaded into the car that air circulation from under the floor Yrack to the upperv part of the car is restricted.

Another object of the invention is to prevent the splashing of liquid from the gutter or floor of the car into the lading compartment and at the same time provide a by-pass for the fiow of cold air around such splash-preventing means and into the lower part of the lading compartment. The licor racks in a car of the type disclosed are usually movable, preferably hinged to the side wall; therefore, the splash preventing means, being associated with the floor rack and side wall, must be flexible.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparentV from the following detailed description and by referring to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing- Fig. l is a partial transverse section of the refrigerator car embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of a portion of Fig. 1 showing more clearly the details of construction.

Fig. 3is a section of line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to a portion of 2 showing a modified form of the invention.

The general parts of the refrigerator car shown are insulated roof A; side wall B; floor D; refrigerant container E; hatch F for loading refrigerant into the container E; foraminous floor rack I-I and space J between the rack Hand the A. Cars of this type commonly have a row of.v

refrigerant containers E near each side wall B, which containers are spaced apart to form av duct Q which communicates between the lading compartment R and openings N.

In the modification shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the side wall B is formed in the usual manner and is comprised of spaced -apart inner (2) and outer (3) sheathing with insulation 5 disposed therebetween. A plurality of metallic sheets 6 are supported in spaced relation to the innersheathing 2 by substantially vertical posts 8 so as to form a plurality of vertically extending flues Si leading from the upper part of the car to the lower part of the car. An opening I is provided for flow of cold air from the enclosure M to the upper parts of the flues 9. The liningis comprised of vertically spaced, horizontally extending slats II, also preferably supported by the posts 8 in atwise relation with the metallic sheets 6.

The metallic sheets 6 are provided with outwardly projecting panels I2 located between the posts 8, which panels I2 co-operate with the slats II to form vertically extending ducts I4 having air communication with the lading compartment R through the spaces I between the slats II. The tcp edgesl I'I of the Aslats Il are preferably inined downwardly towardL the ducts I4 to provide for the draining of liquid into the ducts I4 and away from the lading compartment R. Y

When the lading is loaded into the car in such a manner that air passages are provided through or around the lading between the upper and lower parts thereof, the air circulation is as follows: Air is cooled by contact with the cold refrigerant container E and flows downwardly by gravity through the side wall flues 9 and into the space J under the floor rack H. Liquid overflowed from the container or condensate dripping from lthe container also flows downwardly through the flues 9 to the gutter 22, from which it may be disposed of exterior of the car by any suitable means. The cold air permeates upwardly from the sp-ace J through the foraminous rack H and through the lading compartment R, thereby cooling the lading by contact therewith, and finally through the duct Q. The air is then recooled by the container and the cycle repeated.

In cases where the lading is loaded into the cai' so as to partially or entirely restrict the passages for the upward iow of air throughthe lading compartment, the cold air flows downwardly through the fiues 9, then entirely or partially upward through the ducts I4 and into the lading compartment R through the spaces I5 between the slats II. The spaces I5 between the slats II are preferably Wider adjacent the upper part of the car because the volume of air available for distribution is less in the upper parts of the ducts I4 than in the lower parts. The lading compartment R is thereby distributively supplied with cold air substantially uniformly between the upper and lower parts thereof to overcome the lack of cold air from the space under the floor rack I-I.

In the modification disclosed in Fig. 4, the floor rack H is comprised of a plurality of transversely extending stringers 3U upon which are mounted a plurality of spaced apart, longitudinally extending slats 3i which support the lading. The floor rack H is attached by any suitable hinge 33, preferably to the side wall B of the car. In the type of car disclosed in Fig. 4, the side wall B is provided with a metallic sheet 34 having an outwardly projecting panel 36 which forms, in combination with the veneer sheet 31, a ue 39 for the flow of cold air from the refrigerating means into the space J below the floor rack slats 3l. The flue 39 also conducts liquid from the refrigerating means and deposits such liquid in the gutter 22. The service movements of the car cause the liquid in the gutter 22 to splash considerable distances, which splashing has been known to extend through the spaces between oor rack slats 3l and particularly through the space between the outermost slat 40 and the side wall B of the car. In order to prevent such splashing from damaging the lading, I provide a piece of flexible, waterproof material 42, such as an impregnated canvas, and attach such material 42 to both the side wall B and the under side of the outermost floor rack slat 40. The lining of the car is comprised of the metallic veneer sheet 3l and a wooden innermost part of which the lower portion is one or more longitudinally extending slats 43. An outwardly projecting panel 45 is formed in the veneer sheet 31 adjacent the lower part of the lining, which panel 45 co-operates with one or more of the lowermost slats 43 to form a by-Dass duct 46 leading from the space J under the iioor rack H to the lowerv part of the lading compartment R. This duct provides for the iiow of cold air upwardly into the lower part of the lading compartment R thereby making up for thedeficiency in cold air brought about by the provision of the waterproof material 42 used for preventing splashing. l

The -accompanying drawing illustrates the preferred form of the invention, thoughfit is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that 4various modifications thereof, within the scope of the claims, will occur to persons skilled in the art. 'j

Certain features herein 'disclosed but not vclaimed are claimed in the application of Garth G. Gilpin, Serial No. 404,378, filed July 28, 1941, and owned by the same assignee.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerator car having a wall, roof and floor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, the combinationof refrigerating means below the roof and above the lading compartment, flue means associated with one of said -walls arranged to conduct cold air from said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, lining carried by said last mentioned wall comprising vertically spaciedhori zontally extending slats, duct means also associated with said last mentioned wall and communicating with said lading compartment through the spaces between said slats and means to supply air cooled by said refrigerating means to said duct means, the upper edges of said slats being inclined downwardly toward said duct means for draining of liquid.

2. In a refrigerator car having a wall, roof and floor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, the combination `of refrigerating means below the roof and above the-lading compartment, ilue means associated with one of said walls arranged to conduct cold air from said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, lining carried by said last mentioned wall comprising vertically spaced, horizontally extending slats, duct' means also associ' ated with said last mentioned wall and communicating with said lading compartment through the spaces between said slats and means to supply air cooled by said refrigerating means to said duct means, said slats being spaced apart a greater distance remote from said last mentioned means than adjacent said last mentioned means,

V3. In a refrigerator car having a wall, roof and floor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, the combination. or reirigerating means below the roof and above the lading compartment, iiue ymeans devoid of openings between the upper and lower ends associated with one of said walls and arranged to conduct cold air from said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, said iiue means enclosed in part by a metallic sheet spaced inwardly of the car of the fiue means, lining carried by said last mentioned wall and provided with openings, an outwardly projecting panel in said metallic sheet which cooperates with said liningY to form duct means substantially coextensive with said ue means and communicating with said lading compartment through said openings and means to supply air cooled by 4said refrigerating means to said duct means.

a. In a refrigerator car having a wall, roof and iioor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, the combination of refrigerating means below the roof and above the lading compartment, a foraminous rack for supporting a lading and providing a space between the floor and lading, iiue means devoid of openings between the upper and lower ends associated with i one of said walls and arranged to conduct cold air from said refrigerating means to said space, said flue means enclosed in part by a metallic sheet spaced inwardly of the car of the fluev means', lining carried by said last mentioned Wall and provided with openings, an outwardly projecting panel in said metallic sheet which cooperates with said lining to form duct means substantially coextensive with said flue means and communicating with said lading compartment 2 through said openings and means to supply air cooled by said refrigerating means to said duct means.

5. In a refrigerator car having a wall, roof and floor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, the combination of refrigerating means below the roof and above the lading compartment, flue means devoid of openings between the upper and lower ends associated with one of said walls and arranged to conduct cold air from fi said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, said flue means enclosed in part by a metallic sheet spaced inwardly of the car of the iiue means, lining carried by said last mentioned wall and provided with openings, and

means below the roof and above the lading compartment, vflue meansv associated'with one of said walls arranged to conduct cold air from said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, lining carried by said last mentioned wall comprising vertically spaced, horizontally extending4 slats, duct means also associated with said last mentioned wall communicating with said lading compartment through the spaces between said slats and means to supply air to said duct means from the lower part of said flue means, said slats being spaced lapart a greater distance in the upper p-art than in the lower part of the car.

7. In combination with a wall, floor and lading compartment of a refrigerator car, a movable rack for supporting the lading and providing a space between the lading and the floor, a nue associated with said wall and separated 'from said lading compartment by a lining, said ue adapted to conduct cold air and liquid to the lower part of the car, flexible, waterproof material extending between said rack and saidV lining to prevent liquid splashing upwardly into the lading compartment and means to conduct air from adjacent said floor to the part of the lading compartment `above said material.

8.111 a combination ,with a wall, floor and lading compartment of a refrigerator car, a'gutter in said oor adjacent said wall, a movable rack for supporting the lading and providing a space between the lading and the floor, a flue associated with said wall and separated from said lading compartment by a lining, said ue adapted to conduct cold air and liquid to the lower part of the car, hinge means for attaching said rack to said wall, flexible, waterproof material extending between said rack and said lining to prevent liquid splashing upwardly into the lading compartment and means to conduct air from adjacent said floor to the part of the lading compartment above said material.

9. In a combination with a wall, floor and lading compartment of a refrigerator car, a movable rack for supporting the lading and providing a space between the lading and the floor, a flue associated with said wall and separated from said lading compartment by a lining comprised of a metallic sheet and vertically spaced, horizontally extending slats, said flue adapted to conduct cold air and liquid to the lower part of the car, exible, waterproof material extending between said rack and said lining to prevent liquid splashing upwardly into the lading compartment and means to conduct alr from adjacent said iioor to the part of the lading compartment above said material, said last mentioned means comprising an outwardly projecting panel in said metallic sheet which cooperates with at least one of said slats to form a duct for air flow.

10. In a refrigerator car, in combination with a wall and a iioor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, a rack for supporting a lading and providing a space between the floor and the lading, a flue associated with said wall communicating at its lower end with said space, hinge means for securing said rack to said wall, means to induce a downward ow of air and liquid in said flue, and fiexible waterproof material extending between said rack and said wall to prevent liquid splashing upwardly into the lading compartment.

11. In a refrigerator car, in combination with a wall, roof and oor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, refrigerating means below the roof and above the lading compartment, iiue means associated with said Ywall and leading Without discharge openings from said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, duct means substantially coextensive with said flue means, openings in said duct means leading to said lading compartment between the upper and lower parts thereof, and means to direct refrigerated air from said refrigerating means to said duct means.

12. In a refrigerator car, in combination with a wall, roof and floor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, refrigerating means below the roof and above the lading compartment, flue means associated with said wa'll and leading Without discharge openings from said refrigerating means to the lower part of the lading compartment, duct means substantially coextensive with said nue means and disposed inwardly of the car therefrom, openings in said duct means leading to said lading compartment between the upper and lower parts thereof, and means to direct refrigerated air from said refrigerating means to said duct means` 13. In a refrigerator car, in combination with i a Wall, roof and floor which at least partially encloses a lading compartment, said wall including lining comprised of vertically spaced, horisaid lining communicating with the lading compartment through the openings between said slats, and means to supply refrigerated air to said duct means, said slats being spaced farther apart remote from said second mentioned means than adjacent said second mentioned means.

14. In a refrigerator car, in combination with a Wall, roof and floor which at least partially enclose a lading compartment, said wall including lining comprised of vertically spaced, horizontally extending slats, duct means adjacent said lining communicating with the lading compartment through the openings between saidslats, and means to supply refrigerated air to the lower part of said duct means, said slats being spaced farther apart in the upper part than in the lower part of said car.

15. In a refrigerator car, in combination with a Wall, roof .and floor which at least partiallyenclose a lading compartment, said wall including lining comprised of vertically spaced, horizontally extending slats, duct means adjacent said lining communicating with the lading compartment through the openings between said slats, and means to supply refrigerated air to said duct means, the upper edges o-f said slats being inclined downwardly toward said duct means for draining of liquid.

zontally extending slats, duct means adjacent VICTOR E'. WEST. 

